Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 12: Eid-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was today observed with religious fervor, gaiety and enthusiasm across Kashmir valley during which thousands of devotees attended night-long prayers in major shrines of the region.
The largest congregation was held at Hazratbal Shrine, which also houses the Holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), here on the banks of Dal lake. Braving freezing temperature, thousands of men, women and children devotees attended night-long prayers and sought peace, mercy and blessings from Almighty.
During the course of day, huge number of devotees from all across the Valley thronged Hazratbal, attended congregational prayers and were shown Holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The relic was brought to Hazratbal, formerly known as Bagh-i-Sadiqabad, in eighth century and since then it become most revered shrine of Kashmir valley.
The Holy relic was displayed five times after the culmination of congregational prayers by head cleric of the Hazratbal shrine during which emotional scenes were witnessed with tears rolling down from the eyes of devotees, mostly women, who were seeking mercy from Almighty and regretting their sins.
State Government said all the arrangements were in place for the convenience of the devotees at Hazratbal. All the departments were put in service for the convenience of the devotees and that include Public Health Engineering (PHE), Health Department and Power Development Department (PDD). ‘Hazratbal Special’ buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) were plying from Lal Chowk to Hazratbal throughout the day.
The stringent security arrangements were also in place in and around Hazratbal shrine. Scores of Jammu and Kashmir Police cops were deployed to prevent any untoward incident while senior officers were keeping a vigil on entire Hazratbal area. The police were keeping a close eye on traffic and parking management.
Among the devotees at Hazratbal shrine was National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who prayed for peace and development of the State. The large congregations on Eid-e-Milad occasion were also held at Aasar-e-Shareef Shehri Kalashpora and Jinab Sahab Soura shrines here in summer capital. In Srinagar, several mosques were reverberating with the praises for Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) throughout the night.
To celebrate the Eid-e-Milad, several processions and car rallies were taken in city here by hundreds of devotees. The devotees marched throughout the civil lines and old city roads and shouted slogans in favour of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) while holding green flags. The rallies culminated peacefully.
In South Kashmir, thousands of devotees thronged Khiram-Hazratbal Shrine at Anantnag district, which also houses the Holy relic Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). After culmination of congregational prayers, the Holy relic was displayed. The devotees prayed for the peace and prosperity of the Kashmir.
Several small and large rallies were taken out in Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian districts of the South Kashmir. The devotees holding green flags and banners raised slogans in praise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and emphasized on the teachings of Islam. Major congregations were held at Kabba Marg, Jamia Masjid Reshi Bazar and Khankhah-e-Moulla Pampore.
In Central and North Kashmir districts, similar congregations and rallies were held by devotees to celebrate Eid-e-Milad. A large congregation was held at the shrine of famous saint, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noraani, at Charar-e-Shareef in Budgam district. Police said the celebrations across the Valley culminated peacefully.
Besides congregations and rallies, several conferences and seminars were held at multiple places by different religious and political organizations in Valley on the occasion of Milad. However, one such programme that was scheduled to be held at the residence of Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani was disallowed by police in view of apprehensions of law and order deterioration.
Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Muzzafarabad weekly bus service was suspended today in view of the Eid-e-Milad, officials said. The officials said the bus service was suspended after mutual consent between the authorities of India and Pakistan. The suspension of bus service on festival occasions is not unusual and is being done from time to time.
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